City contracting for CDBG help

September 4, 2012

The city of Dunkirk's Development Department will receive some extra help in dealing with Community Development Block Grant funds if Common Council gives its approval today.

Separate resolutions call for the hiring of two independent contractors to take care of some past and future concerns. A resolution approving revisions in the city's 2012 CDBG action plan is also on the agenda.

Under 70-2012 Travis Gordon, who has been a Development Department intern, will be paid $5,000 to provide independent consulting services to help the city comply with federal Department of Housing and Urban Development requirements for its participation in the CDBG program. Gordon would be working primarily to develop the five-year plan covering 2013-2017.

The H. Sichermann & Company, Inc. of East Amherst will be paid up to $15,000 to provide independent consulting services on behalf of the city in regard to its CDBG program under 71-2012. According to the resolution, to meet CDBG requirements for participation the city has a "need for independent consulting services to provide assistance in order for the city to comply with certain requirements."

Both would be hired as interim, independent contractors, according to the resolutions.

Resolution 73-2012 resets the city's 2012 CDBG spending plan, the final year of the 2008-2012 five-year plan.

According to 73-2012, the city will receive $459,815 in 2012. Administration is set for $90,000; public facilities improvements gets $46,500; public service gets $50,815; Dunkirk Local Development Corporation/economic development is slated for $122,500; owner-occupied housing rehab is set for $100,000 and code enforcement/demolition gets $50,000.

The $20,000 to cover the independent contractors to be hired under 70-2012 and 71-2012 is covered as part of the 2012 CDBG administration spending.

The fourth pre-filed resolution authorizes several budget transfers, including three totalling $16,059.62, to cover unallocated insurance across the general, water and sewer funds. In addition, another $6,827.03 will be transferred to cover shortfalls in five other budget lines. Included in that figure is a transfer of $3,765 from the fiscal affairs personal services line to its contracted independent services line.

Council will also act on four notices of claim.

City resident Darlene Miga is requesting $10,000 in restitution as a result of a fall that occurred Aug. 1 at 7:15 a.m. Miga alleges she tripped over a lifted sidewak block camouflaged by grass at 55 Lake Shore Drive E., the corner of Park Avenue and Lake Shore Drive. Miga lists scrapes, bruises, a broken finger, replacement of a wedding band and "many months of rehab," as justification for the claim.

Mary Ellen Ganey has filed a claim for $699.99 to a water heater and boiler due to a flooded basement allegedly caused during the installation of a new water line from the street to her house. The Leming Street property is located in the First Ward water line upgrade area.

Fredonia resident Lance Ehrhardt has filed a claim for $1,022.25 to cover damage allegedly done to his boat during the July 4 fireworks display. According to Ehrhardt, the boat was docked at the Chadwick Bay Marina during the fireworks display and received three burn marks from fireworks debris which fell and burned through the jell coat on the boat.

City resident Lillie Clyde's notice of claim covers an 8:40 a.m. July 10 fall that allegedly was due to loose stone on a sidewalk. Clyde's claim lists a knee, wrist, elbow, forearm and a wrist as being injured but included no monetary amount with her claim.

The final communication is a request from Mari Ellen Szwejbka for the city's permission to allow the residents of the 400 block of Robin Street to hold their 20th annual block party on Sept. 15 from 1 p.m. to midnight, with a raindate of Sept. 16.

Council's workshop is set for 5:30 p.m. with the regular meeting scheduled for 6 p.m., both in City Hall.